Happy Times 2018
GIVING THANKS 2018
Thanksgiving is a special holiday, which brings the family together in our busy life. We all like to enjoy dinner, which traditionally includes the turkey. However making a perfect turkey is a challenge for most us at least for me. No matter which method I tried, by the time the turkey leg is fully cooked breast dries out.
Basting the breast during roasting, roasting turkey upside down, with probe, with external thermometer, buttering the breast under the skin; above the skin, brining the turkey you name it, nothing worked to our satisfaction over the years.
This year for Thanksgiving dinner I thought about skipping turkey dinner but I was not ready to give up yet.
What I tried is nothing new but combining two different methods together.
First of all I purchased smaller Turkey. Fresh would be better but I bought frozen. I thawed in the fridge for almost 3 days. Emptied the cavity and washed the bird thoroughly.
Step 1- rubbed the bird all over with a kosher salt inside out. (Some suggests also rubbing with salt under the breast skin would help but I didn’t do it). Additionally we rubbed one last time with lemon. I call this step “dry brining”
Step 2- after rubbing with salt I stuffed the cavity with chopped celery stalks, apple, and yellow onion finally with of fresh rosemary and thyme.
Step 3- placed the turkey in an oven bag and had it rest in the fridge for 3-4 hours.
Step 4- roasted in 350 F oven for about 3 hrs.
Our Turkey turned out the best I have ever cooked and did not cry out for gravy or cranberry sauce.
Please click on (Roasting turkey in Oven bag) for full recipe.
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving Day; after all we are thankful for having each other with or without a turkey dinner.
What matters is, Loving, Cherishing and Understanding one and another! 11/26/2018
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CHOCLATE HAPPINESS 2018
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Often I am thinking if there is anybody that don't like Choclate! The answer is definitely there are many. Indeed from 7 to 70 most of us love chocolate and any food made of a chocolate.
I will not go all the way to Mesoamerica time coco tree, cocoa beans or fermented drinks from chocolate date to 350 BC. , More over Aztec belief that cocoa seeds were the God of wisdom and actually used as a form of currency. Instead I like to mention the euphoric aroma and enchanting taste that makes us overjoyed. Chocolate contains chemical compound phenylethylamine, which is a mood elevator endomorphin that brain makes when we feel happy. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter that can be release into brain by chemical called Tryptophan also found in chocolate. What makes the chocolate so tempting is silky smooth texture. When you put chocolate in your mouth it slowly melts creating very pleasant taste. All these achieved by processing liquid coco butter through ingenious chemistry. A Chocolate increase nitric oxide levels therefore relaxes blood vessels, which helps to lower blood pressure. Also chemical called Epicatechin may control risk of diabetes. However white chocolate and milk chocolate may not contain these helpful chemicals necessarily instead contain high portion of milk and sugar. Hence dark chocolate is the best choice and has higher ratio of coco solids in it. Enjoy your upcoming Holidays with dark Chocolate and this delicious chocolate Recipe. Back to Happy Living |
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WILLING TO LIVE HEALTHY 2018
We are inching to the month of August already. 2018 feels like moving ahead quicker than we realize. This extreme pace of life affects all individuals differentlyBeing aware of our body and mind wellbeing basics and living accordingly leads us to a happy and successful life.
But unfortunately this better way of living is not doable all of the time or for every person. |
Especially during adult to middle age years between collage rush-home -work- kids- our long delayed education for a better career- weekend chores – social life necessities and more, cause-delaying living mindfully.
Among few examples of harmful habits are irregular sleeping habits, unguided weight loss programs, missing meals, diving into high calorie but low nutrition diets, but most ignored one is not exercising and not breathing correctly followed by finding out that our health creeps away from us day by day in a long term year by year. As mentioning about sleeping one must have at least 7 hours nourishing sleep to be prepared for the next day, because despite waking up each morning is a blessing; life filled with challenges and you need a rested body and mind for an efficient day in every way. Getting ready for a sleep is necessary. Quit eating at least couple hours before sleeping, removing all electronics from your site, a soothing music if possible, ending physical activities, reading a book and drinking a warm tea helps for a well rest sleep. You may not have all ingredients all the time and you don’t need all the ingredients below to prepare a good night tea. All you need a cup of warm water (in lieu of almond milk) sprinkle in a tsp. cinnamon or /with a tsp. powder ginger may help you to relax and fall asleep, which you most need after an exhausting day. August 2018 Back to Happy Living Page |
ALREADY A SUMMER 2018
WATER IS MUST!
We are approaching to midsummer of 2018. Sun is shining full force to the point you can cook egg under the sun!
Yeah! It is pretty hot outside. Swimming pools, lakeshores, water parks are packed with people, mostly kids with parents since schools are in summer break.
When you look around you may see almost everyone sipping on some kind of drink .
WATER is very important element in your life. Our body uses water in our cells, tissues and organs to be able to maintain bodily functions.
Our body always loses water by sweating, breathing and during digestion. So it is important to rehydrate our body drinking fluids or eating food, which has lots of water content.
But many of us don’t drink plain water as much our body needs, instead consume soft drinks.
Quick reminder here soft drinks may have many harmful effects on your health. If you prefer to drink plain water is the best, however if you wish to have some flavor in your drink you can always add refreshing elements in and enjoy refreshing
“ Infused water”
I offer one of the many that you can create on your own too!
Lets try you will love it.
June 29 2018
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We are approaching to midsummer of 2018. Sun is shining full force to the point you can cook egg under the sun!
Yeah! It is pretty hot outside. Swimming pools, lakeshores, water parks are packed with people, mostly kids with parents since schools are in summer break.
When you look around you may see almost everyone sipping on some kind of drink .
WATER is very important element in your life. Our body uses water in our cells, tissues and organs to be able to maintain bodily functions.
Our body always loses water by sweating, breathing and during digestion. So it is important to rehydrate our body drinking fluids or eating food, which has lots of water content.
But many of us don’t drink plain water as much our body needs, instead consume soft drinks.
Quick reminder here soft drinks may have many harmful effects on your health. If you prefer to drink plain water is the best, however if you wish to have some flavor in your drink you can always add refreshing elements in and enjoy refreshing
“ Infused water”
I offer one of the many that you can create on your own too!
Lets try you will love it.
June 29 2018
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Hello Spring 2018
In northern hemisphere when u start, seeing Robin on the ground, tulips breaking through the soil, waking up with cheerful chirping finches, you know spring has arrived.
Once breaking off your shell and breathing the freshness of the nature, you may realize the energy you have to get out of your cocoon.
Close your eyes, listen to the earth!
Spring is an awakening. It is the time to revitalize your self.
There are many ways to do it. We will focus on food at this time.
Go beyond your routines, start your day with creative breakfasts
Boost your energy with simple healthy lunches
Refresh yourself with delicious fruit infused water
Relax at sunset with your favorite drink along with wholesome dinner!
And for spring Joy We have a bonus recipe today!
Tahini Molasses Pastry
It is a heavenly snack, master bread for Mediterranean breakfast and all time favorite food.
Happy Spring Everyone!
March 2018
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Moments from winter 2018
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IT is Already mid January 2018. Neighbors started taking Christmas decorations down!
Travel arrangements, family reunions, sparkling decorations, getting the tree, decorating the tree, cracking nuts in front of the fire place, little one’s wish list to Santa, ripping the wrappers, delightful Christmas dinners, tripping over the toy boxes and stepping on cookie crumbles!
All Christmas bliss and a New Year’s Eve blast are left behind with wishful Goodbyes!
I still keep cooking for loved ones while enjoy mixing and tossing ingredients along with a delicious aroma arising from my oven.
Youngsters back to school, adults back to work, elderlies back to their routine, business continues and life goes on, people are chasing time like there is no tomorrow!
One kind thought though, knowing that we live each day only once; enjoying what ever we do will make a good life story!
All I hope for the human race is to find a peace in the heart, Joy for living, and to have a compassion for others in the New Year and always!
Happy 2018 everyone!
Make it a fun year and Cook2bcom a Healthy Person!
January 2018
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Travel arrangements, family reunions, sparkling decorations, getting the tree, decorating the tree, cracking nuts in front of the fire place, little one’s wish list to Santa, ripping the wrappers, delightful Christmas dinners, tripping over the toy boxes and stepping on cookie crumbles!
All Christmas bliss and a New Year’s Eve blast are left behind with wishful Goodbyes!
I still keep cooking for loved ones while enjoy mixing and tossing ingredients along with a delicious aroma arising from my oven.
Youngsters back to school, adults back to work, elderlies back to their routine, business continues and life goes on, people are chasing time like there is no tomorrow!
One kind thought though, knowing that we live each day only once; enjoying what ever we do will make a good life story!
All I hope for the human race is to find a peace in the heart, Joy for living, and to have a compassion for others in the New Year and always!
Happy 2018 everyone!
Make it a fun year and Cook2bcom a Healthy Person!
January 2018
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